Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-03-10
NEW SHEEP DISEASE.
Enzo0tic Opthalmia Which Rapidly Pro
duces Total Blindness.

IrOI. OrdHSo, VI tHc ASIiCuiSuis al
College of Michigan, says that last
summer and autumn his attention was
called to a peculiar disorder in sheep.
1t affects the eyes, and frequently
leaves total blindness. Although the
disorder will yield to treatment. acute
inflammation often sets in and caSses
the animal intense suffering.
81 think" the professor says, ''the
most appropriate term which can be
applied to it, is 'Enzootic Opthalmia;'
for, like other enzootic diseases, it at
tacks number of animals in a certain
locality, or it may be confined to a sim
gle farm, while the term opthalmia is
now universally applied to certain dis
eases of the eye, both in human and
veterinary medicine. The cause of this
disease, like the cause of many enzoo-
tics, is still wrapped in deep obscurity.
There are those who say it is the result
If fatigue. or driving upon dusty roads,
Tor instance, or exposure 60 cold after
shearing, or indeed at any time. and
that sudden changes OF the weather
are liable to bring on an attack. AL
tating influence, such as exposure,
ETC., is liable to render an individual
more susceptible to the complaint, yet
can not think that they alone will pro-
duce it. Indeed, it seems to have no
respect for the condition of the animal,
breed or SEX age or size or other cir
cumstances that l can suggest, unless
T %o1-o odx t,c .>f hot 20
able way of accounting for the exist
ence of certain maladies, and condemn
it as smalarial trouble;' for it is not
at all improbable that a specific virus
floating in the air, and finding a suita-
BILE habitat in some sheep, will perform
it's various eccentricities.
s'The complaint is easily recognized,
as several animals in flock will be-
come suddenly blind without any APP
parent cause. Taking a casual look at
the nalady, one can not help being i'm
pressed with the similarity between
this disease and pinkeye in horses; but
closer observation will show with toler-
able certainty that they are two distinct
disorders. On watching the course Of
enzootic opthalmia in sheep from day
t0 day we find, first of all. that the
sight of the eye, instead of presenting
that bright, glistening appearance,
characteristic of it, will be dull or
Opaque; the eyelids will be infamed and
the animal will not be able to tolerate
light, but be constantly blinking; tears
will flow profusely over the cheek, and
there will be more or less discharge (of
tears) from the nose. In the course of a
day or two the eyes will appear redder
and larger, which condition will often
be accompanied with or followed by
angry looking sores upon the sight.
These are seen sometimes to eat their
way through the eyeball, and allow the
internal structure of the eye to escape
that is, the fluid portion; when the
structures become involved a
and permanent blindness is
liable to be the result. This liberation
never occurs in pinkeye in horses that
1 am aware of nor does it in mild casss
in the sheep.
s'The treatment of this disease should
be both local and constitutional, and
the surroundings of the animal should
also be properly considered. The
sheep should be placed by
themselves in a comfortable, dry shed,
well aired, darkened TO prevent
irritation from sun
light. The eyes should be
thoroughly fomented with warm
water every day, until the acute
symptoms subside, or say for about
four days. After fomenting / have
found great benefit from the applica-
ton of u weak solution of nitrate of
silver. say about five grains to the
ounce of pure rain or distilled water
If the eye is liberated touch the ragged
sores with the pure lunar caustic occa-
sionally. In applying fluids to the eyes
a few drops may be shaken from The
end OF small vial, or common quill
run through the cork, makes con-
venient way of putting in the medicine.
have also used a camel hair brush or
soft feather; either will answer very
well. Of course the attendant will re-
qulre an assistant to hold the sheep
while the medicine is being applied.
The constitutional treatment NAV be
directed. first of all, to the bowels, and
if they are not regular, a saline purga-
tive should be given, say EPSON salts,
four ounces dissolved in half a pint of
hot water and allowed to cool. About
forty-eight hours after the purgative
has done its work, should the infiamma-
ton still remain in the eyes, diuretics
may be given.
Among others, have found relief
following the administration of nitrate
OF potash when prescribed as follows:
Take three drachms of nitrate of pot
ash and dissolve 1T in eight ounces of
water. One ounce of the mixture to be
given morning and evening. If at the